Lala Mountain Baling to Fushan: A Deep Cycling Challenge on the Northern Cross-Island Highway

Introduction

Lalashan (Daguan Mountain) is located in Fuxing, Taoyuan, at an elevation of approximately 1,500 meters, and is the crown jewel of the Northern Cross-Island Highway (Provincial Highway 7). The ridgeline from Baling to Fushan connects Taoyuan with Wulai, New Taipei, making it the most challenging long-distance route for cyclists in the north. Along the way, you’ll find the Lalashan Giant Trees, the sacred forest area, and indigenous tribal culture, making this a deep route that combines nature and humanity.

Route Basic Information

Segment Guide

Segment 1: Daxi → Baling (45 km, 900m elevation gain)
Departing from Daxi, follow Provincial Highway 7 into the mountains, passing through tribes such as Jiaobanshan, Fuxing, Luofu, and Xiayunping. Along the way are attractions like the Xikou Suspension Bridge and Jiaobanshan Park. This segment serves as a warm-up with good road conditions.

Segment 2: Baling → Lalashan Visitor Center (10 km, 750m elevation gain)
Turn from Baling onto County Road 116 and enter the Lalashan Protected Area. The gradient rises sharply in this segment, with continuous 7–9% steep slopes. The Lalashan Visitor Center is the highest point on the Northern Cross-Island Highway at 1,450 meters.

Segment 3: Lalashan → Fushan Tribe (40 km, mixed)
From Lalashan, descend along the industrial road toward Wulai, New Taipei. Passing through the Fushan Tribe, one of Taiwan’s most pristine Atayal tribal villages. This segment has poorer road conditions and intermittent signal coverage, requiring experienced riders to take on the challenge.

Lalashan Giant Trees

Lalashan is renowned for its giant trees, with 22 numbered sacred trees forming Taiwan’s most representative Taiwan red cypress forest:

• Sacred Tree No. 1: 2,800 years old, a representative of Taiwan’s red cypress
• Sacred Tree No. 5: The most magnificent in form
• Sacred Tree No. 18: At the end of the trail, with the best views
• Lalashan Trail: 3.7 km in total length, requires parking and park entry

Tribal Cultural Experience

The Atayal tribes along the route are the cultural highlights:

Tribal cuisine (Maqaw pork ribs, stinging nettle chicken soup, millet wine) is a signature feature of the route.

Northern Cross-Island Climate Warning

The Northern Cross-Island Highway has large elevation changes and highly variable weather:

• Spring: Frequent mountain rainfall, high risk of rockfalls
• Summer: Dense afternoon thunderstorms, frequent road closures
• Autumn: Best season, clear visibility, maple foliage
• Winter: Cold and damp, occasional snowfall, not recommended

Fushan Segment Road Condition Warning

The industrial road from Lalashan to Fushan carries high risk:

• Road Surface: Some damaged asphalt, gravel surfaces
• Intermittent Signal: 30 km with no convenience stores or signal
• Prone to Closure in Rain: Landslides common after heavy rain
• Recommended Gear: Mountain bike or gravel bike, tire repair tools, emergency communication device

Recommended Itineraries

Short Version (Single Day): Daxi → Lalashan → Return (90 km, 1650m elevation gain)

Classic Version (Two Days):

• Day 1: Daxi → Overnight at Lalashan (Lalashan homestay)
• Day 2: Lalashan → Fushan → Wulai → Xindian

Combined Version: Northern Cross-Island + Central Cross-Island, challenging Wuling and Hehuan (5 days, 4 nights)

Practical Tips

• Best Season: October–November, clear visibility, maple foliage.
• Gear: Warm clothing (large temperature differences at altitude), rain jacket, bike lights, tire repair tools.
• Supplies: Daxi, Fuxing, and Baling are the three main resupply points, spaced 20 km apart.
• Emergency Contact: Signal is intermittent in the mountains; carry GPS and emergency communication.
• Riding Together: After Lalashan, always ride with companions; riding solo carries high risk.

Conclusion

From Baling to Fushan, Lalashan is one of the few routes in Taiwan’s cycling scene that offers a “giant trees, sacred trees, indigenous culture, and cross-mountain traverse” four-in-one experience. Conquering it requires comprehensive preparation in fitness, gear, and experience, but the reward is an unparalleled immersive mountain forest experience. When you pass through the 2,800-year-old red cypress forest, hear the ancient Atayal melodies, and breathe in the mountain phytoncides, you’ll understand why the Northern Cross-Island Highway is hailed as one of Taiwan’s most sacred mountain roads.

Related Reading

• Taoyuan Fuxing Township Lalashan Route: Complete Climbing Training Guide for the Northern Cross-Island Highway
• Taoyuan and Hsinchu Mountain Riding: High-Difficulty Climbing Routes in Northern Taiwan’s Suburbs
• Mingchi to Baling Section of the Northern Cross-Island Highway: A Cloudy Forest Ride Beneath Lalashan
• MTB Taiwan Route Exploration: Primitive Mountain Trail Experience at Lalashan and Smangus